Captain Sandy Stands by Chef Johnathan's Decision Not to Cook Late at Night on Below Deck Med

Below Deck Meds Captain Sandy Defends the Chef When He Refuses to Wake Up at Night to Make Food

(l-r) Captain Sandy Yawn, Johnathan Shillingford Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Captain Sandy Yawn caused a stir among some Below Deck Mediterranean cast members when she supported Chef Johnathan Shillingford's decision not to wake up and prepare food for guests late at night.

In the season 9 premiere on Monday, June 3, the interior team faced challenges as their provisioner failed to provide alcohol and other essential items. Chief stew Aesha Scott struggled to cope without these supplies while also managing her team members, Elena Dubaich and Bri Muller, who were both in need of further training.

On their first night of the charter, Aesha put Elena in charge. By midnight, the guests were craving snacks like grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, nachos, and chips with guacamole. Despite Johnathan being fast asleep in his cabin, Elena tried to ask for his help.

"I need to wake up the chef because they've ordered too much food," Elena shared in a confessional. "I'm sorry, Chef, but the guests want a lot of different snacks. It's too much for me to handle alone. Let's work together to get it done."

Elena asked Johnathan for help in the kitchen, but he declined, preferring to stay in bed. This left Elena to come up with a plan to keep the guests satisfied by herself.

I have never cooked for drunk people before while working on boats. Feeling overwhelmed, I asked for help. My plan was to make grilled cheese sandwiches and tell them it was the only option available.

I informed the guests that only grilled cheese was on the menu, but they wanted more snacks. Deckhand Gael Cameron tried to help by making sandwiches while I made drinks. However, I realized it was too difficult for me to manage, so I went back to Johnathan's cabin.

Elena explained that she would try to talk to the chef again. She mentioned that it was not her job to prepare meals for the guests. In addition, she expressed her inability to serve cocktails and manage the guests due to Jono's selfish behavior, which was reflecting poorly on her.

Johnathan was puzzled when Elena approached him to cook once more. Elena emphasized that it would reflect poorly on Johnathan if the food she prepared turned out to be disappointing for the guests.

She said, "I came back because this is going to be a problem. I don’t want you to do this to yourself over something silly like that. They really want this food and it’s going to be a big issue."

In reply, Johnathan argued, "What are you talking about? I’m not doing anything. I haven’t slept enough. They can just have grilled cheese sandwiches. You said you could handle that."

Johnathan expressed his frustrations in a confessional, stating his dislike for being woken up and making it clear that he wouldn't be getting up. He also criticized Elena, saying, "This won't be a good experience for you."

Since the chef refused to help her, Elena went back to the kitchen to attempt making food on her own again. She expressed her concern, saying, "It's becoming a big problem. I just wanted to give you a chance to reconsider because I don't want this whole experience to turn negative for you. Just think about it."

The trailer for next week’s episode revealed Sandy's reaction to the drama. During a team meeting, the captain warned, "Never wake the chef," which clearly upset Elena.

In another scene, the stew appeared visibly distressed. Through tears, Elena expressed, "I worked so hard and now it's all about waking up the chef." Johnathan also addressed the ongoing issues between himself and Elena during a phone call, exclaiming, "This situation is really starting to get to me."

Sandy has been a familiar face on Below Deck since she became part of the Mediterranean version in 2017. She made history as the first (and only) female captain in the franchise, and also made waves when she temporarily joined the OG series to assist Captain Lee Rosbach in 2023.

Before the premiere of season 9, Sandy shared with We about her leadership style and approach.

In December 2023, she talked about her support for past costars, emphasizing the importance of giving people opportunities to change. She mentioned that in order to know if someone wants to change, they need to be given the chance to demonstrate it. She expressed her belief that individuals are more likely to change when they are given the opportunity to do so.

She also acknowledged the challenges of working and living together with the same people season after season. She commended her costars for their perseverance and resilience in such a demanding environment. She recognized the difficulties they faced and gave them credit for their commitment and endurance.

Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 airs on Bravo Mondays at 9 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

Editor's P/S:

Captain Sandy Yawn's support for Chef Johnathan Shillingford's decision to refuse assisting the interior team has sparked controversy. While some may question the chef's unwillingness to accommodate guest requests, others argue that his right to rest should be respected, especially given the demanding nature of the job. The incident highlights the complexities of working in a high-pressure environment where the needs of guests, crew, and management often conflict.

Furthermore, Sandy's leadership style has been a topic of discussion. Her support for her crew members' personal boundaries is commendable, but it remains to be seen how her approach will affect the overall functioning of the team. The upcoming episodes of Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 will reveal the consequences of her decision and how it will impact the dynamics between the cast members.